47

Turkey

Republic of Türkiye

82.3 million
774,815 km2
Arabic, Turkish,
Islam

Turkish coffee and kebabs, beaches and ski resorts, rich history and modern cities, Asia and Europe, Islam and a secular state — all this is the contradictory and extraordinary Turkey.

This country has long been a popular beach destination with a unique eastern flavor. Turkey's territory is like France and Germany combined. With a population of 88 million people, over 70% are urban dwellers.

The hot climate and four seas surrounding Turkey, as well as the opportunity to obtain a residence permit and citizenship by purchasing real estate, have made it an even more attractive place for expatriates. But it's important not to forget that earthquakes occasionally occur here due to the collision of tectonic plates.

Happiness level
22
Happiness level
22

In terms of happiness, Turkey ranks 105 out of 136 countries in the World Happiness Report 2024. The indicator takes into account GDP per capita, life expectancy, sense of security, and public opinion survey results from residents of the countries.

Health index
72
Health index
72

Based on the Numbeo Health Index derived from user experience. In the 2024 ranking, Turkey is in 26 place according to this indicator among 94 countries. The index evaluates the quality, cost, accessibility of medical services, and the level of staff qualifications.

The cleanest air
35
The cleanest air
35

Air cleanliness reflects the environmental situation in the region. This factor is crucial. Turkey is ranked 81 among 125 countries based on the results of 2024.

Security of countries
64
Security of countries
64

The indicator is calculated based on the country safety rating from the Numbeo service. Turkey ranks 53 out of 146 in terms of safety according to a survey of real travelers who visited the country in 2024.

Life expectancy
76
Life expectancy
76

Turkey ranks 80 out of 235 countries in the world for life expectancy. This is a crucial indicator that has been evaluated by the United Nations since 1980.

Level of human freedom
21
Level of human freedom
21

Turkey ranks 130 out of 164 countries in the Human Freedom Index 2024 by the American Cato Institute and the Canadian Fraser Institute. The ranking evaluates personal, civil, and economic freedom in different countries based on 86 indicators.

The cost of living 33.9 USD
69
The cost of living
69

The cost of living assessment in Turkey, according to the Numbeo Index 2024, includes not only the cost of groceries, restaurants, and housing rent but also the purchasing power index. The indicator is conditional, as it is most often directly related to the income level of the population.

Unemployment rate 10 percent
25
Unemployment rate
25

The unemployment rate and the assessment of Turkey according to this indicator are based on data from the International Labour Organization from 2024. According to this indicator, the country ranks 140 out of 186 countries in the world.

Level of social progress
48
Level of social progress
48

The Social Progress Index assesses countries' achievements across 50 different indicators, and Turkey ranks 88 out of 168 countries in this rating for the year 2024.

Quality of citizenship
38
Quality of citizenship
38

The Citizenship Quality Ranking considers freedom of movement, human development index, GDP indicators, and openness to residency. Turkey ranks 95 out of 201 countries based on these criteria as of 2024.

Literacy rate
97
Literacy rate
97

Literacy rate directly influences the development of any country. Therefore, this indicator provides an understanding of the average level of education among citizens. Turkey ranks 71 out of 178 in terms of literacy rate.

Internet speed 37.66 Mbps
56
Internet speed
56

Internet speed indicates the level of technological development in the country, accessibility of information, and service quality. Turkey ranks 68 in the list of countries based on this indicator.

Mobile data price 0.44 USD
84
Mobile data price
84

The cost of mobile internet reflects its accessibility. When considering this indicator alongside internet speed, we can judge the quality of access to information. In 2024, Turkey ranks 38 out of 236 in this regard.

English proficiency level
43
English proficiency level
43

An indicator that gives an understanding of how comfortable you will feel in a country if you are unfamiliar with the local language but proficient in English. According to this indicator, Turkey ranks 67 in the world.

Turkey, officially the Republic of Turkey, is a country located at the crossroads of Asia and Europe. It shares borders with Greece and Bulgaria to the northwest, Georgia and Armenia to the northeast, Azerbaijan and Iran to the east, and Iraq and Syria to the southeast. It is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the south, the Aegean Sea to the southwest, and the Black Sea to the north. The Sea of Marmara, the Bosporus, and the Dardanelles straits demarcate the boundary between Europe and Asia.

The country covers an area of 783,562 square kilometers. The capital is Ankara. Additionally, there are major cities like Istanbul, Izmir, Bursa, Adana, Gaziantep, and Konya. Geographically, the country is divided into 7 regions.

Since 1963, Turkey has been an official candidate for accession to the European Economic Community (EEC), the present-day European Union (EU). In 1995, Turkey signed a customs union agreement with the EU. Turkey is also a member of NATO, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, and the Organization of Turkic States.

Turkey is a democratic, secular, unitary, constitutional republic, whose political system was established in 1923 after the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire.

Climate Conditions

Due to its location in the northeastern Mediterranean basin, Turkey has a Mediterranean climate: mild winters and hot, dry summers. Annual precipitation in this region ranges from 580 to 1300 mm. Summers can see temperatures exceed +40 °C, while winters typically stay above +10 °C.

The coastal regions along the Black Sea have a temperate maritime climate with hot, humid summers and cool, moist winters. Annual precipitation in this region ranges from 1000 to 2500 mm. Summer temperatures average between +20–24°C, while winter temperatures range from +4–7°C.

The predominance of eastern-facing major relief features affects the climate of the inland regions. These areas experience a more continental climate: colder winters, less precipitation, with maximum precipitation occurring in spring. In the eastern mountainous regions, winter temperatures can fluctuate between -30°C to -40°C, with snow cover lasting up to 120 days a year. Summers are hot and dry, with temperatures typically ranging from +18–25°C.

Demographics

As of 2023, Turkey's population is approximately 85.2 million people, making it the 19th most populous country in the world. The population growth rate in Turkey is significantly higher than in other European countries (about 1.3% per year). In 2023, the fertility rate increased to 1.7 children per woman.

The average life expectancy is estimated at 78.3 years (75.6 years for men and 81 years for women).

The average population density in Turkey is 92 people per square kilometer. Istanbul Province has the highest population density, with 2420 people per square kilometer. Approximately 70.5% of the population lives in urban areas.

Half of Turkey's population is younger than 28.3 years old. People aged 15-64, the active population, make up 66.5% of the total population. The age group 0-14 corresponds to 26.4% of Turkey's population, while elderly people aged 65 and over account for 7.1% of the total population.

The ethnic composition of Turkey is difficult to determine precisely because ethnic identity is no longer recorded in official population censuses. Moreover, over the centuries, various ethnic groups have intermixed, making it difficult to assign people to a single ethnicity. However, the following ethnic groups can be identified: Turks (70–77%), Kurds (19%), Zazas (4%), Circassians (3%), Bosniaks (2%), Arabs (1%), Albanians (1%). Additionally, there are national minorities such as Georgians, Bulgarians, Assyrians, Chechens, Greeks, Jews, and Roma.

The official and national language of modern Turkey is Turkish, spoken by over 80% of the population as their native language. Additionally, there are about 20 languages from five different language families spoken by non-Turkish ethnic groups and minorities residing in Turkey.

According to official statistics, approximately 99% of Turkey's population is Muslim (of which approximately 82% are Sunni, 16% are Alevis, and 1–2% are Alawites). However, this figure is subjective because every resident of Turkey is automatically recorded as Muslim unless they explicitly declare a different religion.

Economy

Turkey has one of the fastest-growing economies. As of 2023, the GDP of the Republic of Turkey amounted to $819 billion, ranking it 20th in the world. However, in spring 2017, the rating agency Moody's downgraded Turkey's credit rating from "stable" to "negative". In its annual report published in November of the same year, political risks and high vulnerability to external influences were cited as the country's main weaknesses.

The Turkish economy also faces serious structural problems. Agriculture accounts for only 11.9% of GDP but employs 30.6% of the workforce. Industry accounts for 29.6% of GDP, while the services sector accounts for 58.5%. In industry, 19.3% of the workforce is employed, and in the services sector, 44.5%.

51.6% of the country's exports go to the EU, and 46% of imports come from the EU.

The unemployment rate in 2023 was 9.4%. 18.4% of all workers are employed in agriculture, 26.6% in industry, and 54.9% in services.

The Turkish economy is characterized by high growth rates (average quarterly growth of 4%) combined with even higher inflation. In December 2023, the inflation rate reached record levels –

Freedom of Travel (Visa-Free Countries)

In the global passport strength ranking, Turkey ranks 36th alongside Russia and Montenegro. Turkish citizens can visit 69 countries in visa-free regime (with the right of free stay from 30 to 180 days). Also in 51 countries it is possible to issue a visa on arrival (stay up to 180 days), and in 7 countries it is allowed to issue an electronic entry permit (up to 120 days of free stay).

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